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The Twin Lakes
Kentucky and Barkley
                                                            

 Paris Landing is located near two of Tennessee's most prolific reservoirs. Kentucky and Barkley lakes offer anglers abundant acreage where shorelines with sloping gravel banks seem to reach to infinity.

 Both reservoirs are huge. Kentucky Lake has 160,000 surface acres with 2,380 miles of shoreline. Barkley offers almost 120,000 surface acres and over 1,000 miles of shoreline. 

 Kentucky Lake is known by many as the "crappie capitol of the world", but if it's the king then Lake Barkley must be the queen, as it  also offers excellent crappie fishing. These tasty fish can provide some true fishing action. Spring and fall are the best time to fill a stringer.

These mammoth bodies of water offer a wide variety of bass fishing opportunities. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass are likely prey on Kentucky Lake while Barkley produces mostly largemouth. Generally speaking, Barkley has mostly shallow water zones that are likely to offer stained, dingy water colors.

 Kentucky Lake is similar but anglers will encounter somewhat clearer water conditions here. That's why a few smallmouth and "spots" are taken. 

 Catfishing is also a prime pastime for local anglers. Kentucky Lake in particular is known for excellent catfishing, especially during the summer months. The threee species of Catfish include Channel, Blue and Flathead. 

White bass can provide a real thrill when surface feeding in the dog days of summer when nothing else seems to be biting. The lure of choice being anything small and white or shiny. When found chasing shad to the surface they work into a literal feeding frenzy and will bite almost anything offered at times, including a bare hook.

 Other species include bream, sauger and an occasional hybrid or striper.

 These lakes have a five foot drawdown range from summer to winter, which is considerably less than other lakes in the eastern portion of the state. Nonetheless, the lake takes on a completely different appearance as shallow flats, sandbars, stump rows and other structure is exposed.

 Boaters should take caution as lower units and hulls are vulnerable to the variety of submerged obstacles. A long way from shore here doesn't necessarily mean deep water is at hand.

                                                                                    

The information above is compiled by outdoor writer
Steve McCadams
    Steve is a professional hunting and fishing guide here in the Paris
Landing area and host of the The Outdoor Channel's television series  IN-PURSUIT.